LOCAL EXECUTIVES CROSS PARTY LINES TO SUPPORT BINAY FOR VP

PRESS RELEASE
21 SEPTEMBER 2009
REF: JOEY SALGADO

Local executives from across the Philippines have crossed party lines to express their support for Makati Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) President Jejomar C. Binay’s plan to run for vice president in 2010.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente Pimentel said the local chief executives come from all parties, including the administration Lakas-KAMPI-CMD, and span the major provinces of Pangasinan, Bohol, Laguna, Batangas, Cotabato, Surigao, Pampanga, Quezon and Camarines Sur.

“It just shows that this is not about partisan politics. My fellow local chief executives recognize the need for change and the need to empower the local government units. We believe that Mayor Binay will help us realize this goal,” he said.

Binmaley, Pangasinan Mayor Sammy Rosario said the local executives are unanimous in expressing their support for Binay, and have been informed that more mayors will join their ranks in a couple of weeks.

“We all believe that Jojo Binay is the example of effective governance, and whoever is elected president will benefit from having someone with Binay’s track record, experience, and concern for the common people as his vice president,” he said.

For his part, Kidapawan City Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco said Binay’s 20 years as Makati’s mayor is proof that the “he has the experience and political will needed in the executive branch.”

“We have seen what Mayor Binay has done in Makati . He has the competence and the know-how, and being a mayor himself, he knows the needs of local governments. He can help the president focus on social programs and help the local government officials in replicating his achievements in our localities,” Gantuangco said.

Meanwhile, Lucena City Mayor Ramon Y. Talaga Jr. said Binay’s idea to give more power to LGUs will help localities improve the services they render to their constituents.

“Right now, some LGUs are dependent on their Internal Revenue Allotments for salaries and wages for their employees and for development programs – if they are lucky. We need to review the disbursement of IRA, and all other funds for that matter, to ensure that localities have enough funds to create projects for their constituents. We need someone to speak for us in national government about this. I believe Binay is more than qualified to be that someone,” Talaga said.

According to Binay’s spokesman, Lito Anzures, the support for the Makati mayor reflects the true sentiments of the country’s mayors for change in national government.

“Mayor Binay has always believed that for the country to be progressive, the local government units must be progressive. He has shared his belief in LGU empowerment to his fellow mayors. They have seen it work for Makati . And now they believe Binay’s advocacies will work for the country,” Anzures said.

“This growing support for Mayor Binay is a message from the local executives that someone from their ranks would be the best to represent them in the national government,” he said.